Refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine will be housed in converted retail units in Altrincham town centre, despite warnings that the area is plagued by anti-social behaviour.

The word of caution came from Altrincham and Bowdown Civic Society chair Judie Collins who was addressing Trafford’s planning and development management committee which has approved the plan.

Part of the first and second floors of The Graftons will now be transformed into nine apartments.

Ms Collins said: “It will be nice for the refugees, but that end of the town isn’t at its best at the moment.

“There are empty shops and there is nowhere to nip out to for a pint of milk.” 

She said that Altrincham has problems on Regent Road ‘where there is no CCTV and that Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury’s stores were having issues with anti-social behaviour’.

“Is it a good place to bring people who are coming from war zones?” she added.

However, Cllr Shirley Procter told the committee: “I think it’s a wonderful way of bringing this derelict building back into use, providing homes. I can’t wait to see it happen.”

Cllr Meena Minnis agreed: “It’s for people who, quite frankly, we should be housing.”

The mainly vacant commercial building was bought by the council for nearly £11million in 2018. It is near to the George Street and Stamford New Road conservations areas and it dates back to the mid-20th century.

There will be three two-bed, three three-bed and three four-bed apartments in the revamped complex in space which has been largely used for storage.

Cllr Phil Eckersley asked whether the conversion would affect the possible redevelopment of the building at a later date.

Trafford’s head of planning Rebecca Coley responded: “There are no proposals to redevelop the Grafton Centre. Nevertheless, this is temporary accommodation. There is a clause in the conditions which says it can’t be sold on.”

A joint venture between property firm Bruntwood and Novo Property Group which would have seen the 80 sq ft shopping complex revamped hit was abandoned when the Covid pandemic hit.

The Grafton Centre also includes the 91-bed Travelodge hotel, which has a lease until 2037.